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ATLANTIC OCEAN—Captain Andrew P. Fitzpatrick relieved Captain Robert S. Thompson as commanding officer of USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) during a change-of-command ceremony on the ship’s fo’c’sle July 26.
Thompson was first welcomed aboard during Vella Gulf’s deployment to the 5th fleet area of responsibility in October of 2017. Under his command, Vella Gulf successfully completed the deployment as well as the following period of selective restricted availability in Norfolk. The ship’s crew certified in 15 warfare areas, three of which were completed ahead of schedule during that time. Vella Gulf also passed their light-off assessment on the ship’s first attempt.
In his remarks, Thompson praised the crew for their dedication and hard work while he was at the helm.
“You have answered every bell and every call for fire,” said Thompson. “You spent time away from families, either because the ship was at sea or you were on duty. With deployment on the horizon, you all have a lot to look forward to and I wish I could go with you. I will count my time among you as one of the highlights of my career.”
Fitzpatrick opened his remarks by thanking Thompson and the crew for welcoming him aboard. He also expressed confidence in the crew’s ability to meet the challenges ahead for Vella Gulf.
“I know and have faith you will rally every time, putting your best foot forward and enabling Vella Gulf to be successful, which requires each and every member of the team.”
After the ceremony, Thompson was able to bid farewell to his shipmates, and the crew gave him 3 cheers as he stepped off the ship into a water taxi. His next assignment will be to Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (COMNAVSURFLANT).
Vella Gulf is in the Atlantic Ocean as part of the basic phase of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan.
| Date Taken: | 07.26.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 07.29.2019 13:41 |
| Story ID: | 333486 |
| Location: | AT SEA |
| Web Views: | 243 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Vella Gulf Holds Change-of-Command Ceremony, by PO3 Gian Prabhudas, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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